Periodic caloric restriction (fasting) timed around chemotherapy administration is theorized to modulate immune-cell vulnerability and tumor sensitivity by inducing a protective dormant state in normal cells while increasing malignant cells' susceptibility to cytotoxic treatment, a mechanism studied within integrative oncology and nutritional oncology. Related mechanisms include regulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) signaling and blood glucose/insulin dynamics, both implicated in tumor growth signaling pathways, with pharmacologic agents such as biguanides proposed to act on the same glucose-insulin axis. Collectively these represent diet- and metabolism-based adjunctive strategies situated within the broader discipline of oncologic supportive care.
Periodic caloric restriction (fasting) timed around chemotherapy administration is theorized to modulate immune-cell vulnerability and tumor sensitivity by inducing a protective dormant state in norm…